Consumer appliance and powered handle assembly

ABSTRACT

A consumer appliance and handle assembly are provided herein. The consumer appliance may include a cabinet, an appliance door, a first power line, an appliance handle, a second power line, a first electrical connector, and a second electrical connector. The appliance door may include a panel body defining a door cavity. The appliance handle may be mounted to the appliance door. The appliance handle may include a handle body and an endcap. The second power line may be positioned within the handle body. The first electrical connector may include a first conductive body mounted to the panel body in conductive communication with the first power line. The second electrical connector may include a second conductive body mounted to the endcap in conductive communication with the second power line. The second conductive body may be in separable conductive communication with the first conductive body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to consumer appliances, andmore particularly to consumer appliances having one or more handles withelectrically-powered features therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumer appliances, such as ovens, refrigerators, microwaves, etc.,typically include one or more doors for selectively opening and closinga portion of a consumer appliance. Often one or more handles areprovided on a door so that a user may have a dedicated suitable memberthat can be grasped and used to move the door between an open positionand a closed position. Typically, such handles are attached to the doorduring assembly of the consumer appliance. In other words, the door andhandle are formed as discrete members that are later joined together byone or more adhesives, mechanical fasteners, etc.

Over time, a handle may be subjected to considerable strain. Forinstance, the handle is often the portion of the appliance whichconsumers touch or engage the most. Moreover, it is not unusual forconsumers to push or pull against a handle in a manner or direction thatis not intended by the manufacturer of the appliance. Furthermore, insome consumer appliances, the doors are relatively heavy, or a biasingmember may be provided to motivate the door to a certain position. Anyor all of these factors may contribute to the strain and wearexperienced by a handle.

Given constraints on space, as well as other design criteria, attemptshave been made to form or maintain an electrical connection within ahandle of some consumer appliances. In some instances, it may bedesirable to have one or more electrical features that are mounted to orhoused within a handle. However, there can be a number of difficultieswith such arrangements. For instance, electrical connection pointsbetween a door and a handle typically must be established with some formof mechanical connection, such as through a solid conductive wire. As aresult, the wire or connecting structure must be robust enough to endurethe mechanical strain placed on the handle. The connection must alsolimit or prevent electrical interference that may be caused byconductive materials on the door or handle. Additionally, assemblingconductive wires from a door to a handle can be extremely difficult andtime intensive.

As a result, it would be useful to provide a consumer appliance in whichan electrical connection can be established between a door and a handle,such as to power an electrical feature within the handle. In particular,it would be advantageous to provide such a system that could be easilyassembled such that the electrical connection can be selectivelyestablished and broken (e.g., without damaging any components) duringassembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a consumer applianceis provided. The consumer appliance may include a cabinet, an appliancedoor, a first power line, an appliance handle, a second power line, afirst electrical connector, and a second electrical connector. Thecabinet may define an internal chamber. The appliance door may bemovably attached to the cabinet to selectively restrict access to theinternal chamber. The appliance door may include a panel body defining adoor cavity. The panel body may include an external panel surfacedirected away from the door cavity and an internal panel surfacedirected toward the door cavity. The first power line may be positionedwithin the door cavity. The appliance handle may be mounted to theappliance door. The appliance handle may include a handle body and anendcap. The handle body may extend between a first handle end and asecond handle end. The endcap may be positioned on the first handle endor the second handle end. The second power line may be positioned withinthe handle body. The second power line may extend between a pair of lineends. The first electrical connector may include a first conductive bodymounted to the panel body in conductive communication with the firstpower line. The second electrical connector may include a secondconductive body mounted to the endcap in conductive communication withthe second power line. The second conductive body may be in separableconductive communication with the first conductive body.

In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a consumerappliance is provided. The consumer appliance may include a cabinet, anappliance door, a first power line, an appliance handle, a second powerline, a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, andan electrical component. The cabinet may define an internal chamber. Theappliance door may be movably attached to the cabinet to selectivelyrestrict access to the internal chamber. The appliance door may includea panel body defining a door cavity. The panel body may include anexternal panel surface directed away from the door cavity and aninternal panel surface directed toward the door cavity. The first powerline may be positioned within the door cavity. The appliance handle maybe mounted to the appliance door. The appliance handle may include ahandle body and an endcap. The handle body may extend between a firsthandle end and a second handle end. The endcap may be positioned on thefirst handle end or the second handle end. The endcap may include aninsulated support body positioned on the panel body, as well as an outershell enclosing the insulated support body. The second power line may bepositioned within the handle body. The second power line may extendbetween a pair of line ends. The first electrical connector may includea first conductive body mounted to the panel body in conductivecommunication with the first power line. The second electrical connectormay include a second conductive body mounted to the endcap in conductivecommunication with the second power line. The second conductive body maybe in separable conductive communication with the first conductive body.The electrical component may be mounted to the appliance handle inconductive communication with the second power line between the pair ofline ends of the second power line.

In yet another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an appliancehandle is provided. The appliance handle may include a handle body andan endcap. The handle body may extend between a first handle end and asecond handle end. The endcap may be positioned on the first handle endor the second handle end. The endcap may include an insulated supportbody positioned on the panel body, and an outer shell enclosing theinsulated support body.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a consumer appliance according toexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of a portion of a handle and door ofa consumer appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 provides a cross-sectional side view of a handle and door of aconsumer appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 provides a cross-sectional top view of a handle and door of aconsumer appliance according to exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 provides a partially-exploded perspective view of a handleaccording to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 provides a partially-exploded rear perspective view of an endcapassembly of a handle according to exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 provides a partially-exploded front perspective view of an endcapassembly of a handle according to exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 provides a partially-exploded front perspective view of an endcapassembly of a handle according to exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 provides a front perspective view of a pair of handle-engagementportions of a door according to exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 provides a front perspective view of a pair of handle-engagementportions of a door according to other exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 10 provides a magnified perspective view of a pair of planarcontact plates on a panel body of a door according to exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 provides a perspective view of a pair of spring-loaded contactpins on a handle endcap according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

As used herein, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive(i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms“first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably todistinguish one component from another and are not intended to signifylocation or importance of the individual components.

FIG. 1 provides a front, perspective view of a consumer appliance 100according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure (e.g., as acooking appliance). Appliance 100 includes a cabinet 110 and defines avertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse directionT (e.g., at cabinet 110). The vertical, lateral and transversedirections are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal directionsystem.

As shown, cabinet 110 extends along the vertical direction V between atop portion 112 and a bottom portion 113; along the lateral direction Lbetween a left side portion 114 and a right side portion 115; and alongthe traverse direction T between a front portion 116 and a rear portion117. Moreover, cabinet 110 defines one or more internal chamberstherein. For instance, as shown in the exemplary appliance 100 of FIG.1, cabinet 110 may define a left cooking chamber 120 or a right cookingchamber 122. Thus, the illustrated embodiment of appliance 100 in FIG. 1is generally referred to as a double oven range appliance. As will beunderstood by those skilled in the art, appliance 100 is provided by wayof example only, and the present subject matter may be used in anysuitable consumer appliance (e.g., refrigerator, microwave, icemaker,dishwashing appliance, etc.). Thus, the exemplary embodimentsillustrated in FIG. 1 are not intended to limit the present subjectmatter to any particular appliance, configuration, or arrangement,except as otherwise indicated.

Appliance 100 generally includes one or more doors to permit selectiveaccess to a corresponding internal chamber. For instance, in theexemplary embodiments of FIG. 1, appliance 100 includes a left door 124and a right door 126 rotatably attached to cabinet 110 in order topermit selective access to left cooking chamber 120 and right cookingchamber 122, respectively. One or more handles 128 are mounted to thedoors 124, 126 to assist a user with opening and closing doors 124, 126in order to access internal chambers 120, 122. As an example, a user canpull on handle 128 mounted to left door 124 to open or close left door124 and access left cooking chamber 120. In optional embodiments, glasswindow panes 130 provide for viewing the contents of left and rightcooking chambers 120 and 122 when doors 124 and 126 are closed. Heatingelements (not shown), such as electric resistance heating elements, gasburners, microwave heating elements, halogen heating elements, orsuitable combinations thereof, may be positioned within left cookingchamber 120 and right cooking chamber 122 for heating left cookingchamber 120 and right cooking chamber 122.

In some embodiments, appliance 100 also includes a cooktop 140. Cooktop140 is positioned at or adjacent a top portion of cabinet 110. Thus,cooktop 140 is positioned above left and right cooking chambers 120 and122. Cooktop 140 includes a top panel 142. By way of example, top panel142 may be constructed of glass, ceramics, enameled steel, andcombinations thereof. For appliance 100, a utensil (not pictured)holding food or cooking liquids (e.g., oil, water, etc.) may be placedonto cooking grates 152 at a location of any of burner assemblies 144,146, 148, 150. Burner assemblies 144, 146, 148, 150 provide thermalenergy to cooking utensils on grates 152.

Appliance 100 may be further equipped with a controller 127 to regulateoperation of the appliance 100. Controller 127 may be in communication(e.g., electrical connection) with one or more operational components ofthe appliance 100, as discussed herein. By way of example, controller127 may include one or more memory devices (e.g., non-transitive media)and one or more microprocessors, such as general or special purposemicroprocessors operable to execute programming instructions ormicro-control code associated with an operating cycle. The memory mayrepresent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such asROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programminginstructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate componentfrom the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.

Controller 127 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughoutappliance 100. As an example, one or more portions of controller 127 maybe located within a user interface panel 154 of appliance 100. In suchan embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between thecontrol system and various operational components of appliance 100 alongwiring harnesses that may be routed through cabinet 110. Typically,controller 127 is in communication with user interface panel 154 throughwhich a user may select various operational features and modes andmonitor progress of appliance 100. In example embodiments, userinterface panel 154 may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) deviceor functional block.

In some embodiments, user interface panel 154 is located withinconvenient reach of a user of the appliance 100. For some exampleembodiments, user interface panel 154 includes knobs 156 that are eachassociated with one of burner assemblies 144, 146, 148, 150. Knobs 156allow the user to activate each burner assembly and determine the amountof heat input provided by each burner assembly 144, 146, 148, 150 to acooking utensil located thereon. User interface panel 154 may also beprovided with one or more graphical display devices that deliver certaininformation to the user such as, for example, whether a particularburner assembly is activated or the rate at which the burner assembly isset.

Although shown with knobs 156, it should be understood that knobs 156and the configuration of appliance 100 shown in FIG. 1 is provided byway of example only. For example, user interface panel 154 may includevarious input components, such as one or more of a variety of touch-typecontrols, electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devicesincluding rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interfacepanel 154 may include other display components, such as a digital oranalog display device designed to provide operational feedback to auser.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 through 9, various views are provided of portionsof an appliance handle 202 or appliance door 204 for use with a suitableconsumer appliance (e.g., appliance 100—FIG. 1). For instance, it isunderstood that appliance handle 202 may be provided as one of thehandles 128, while appliance door 204 may be either of the doors 124,126.

As shown, appliance door 204 includes one or more panels or panel bodiesdefining an enclosed door cavity 212. An external panel surface 214 isdirected away from enclosed door cavity 212 (e.g., to the ambientenvironment) while an internal panel surface 216 is directed towardenclosed door cavity 212, opposite the external panel surface 214. Insome embodiments, a first power line 220 is positioned within encloseddoor cavity 212 and connects with a power source 228 (e.g., inconductive or electrical communication). First power line 220 mayprovide one or more conductive wires or busses to form an uninterruptedpath through which electric current may be transmitted. As isunderstood, power source 228 may be provided as any suitable electriccurrent source (e.g., domestic power grid, isolated battery, etc.)separate from or including controller 127.

As would be understood, first power line 220 may optionally extend orattach to cabinet 110 (FIG. 1) to connect or otherwise communicate withone or more discrete power lines therein. For example, first power line220 may be electrically coupled with another power line extendingthrough cabinet 110 to communicate (e.g., directly or indirectly) withpower source 228.

As noted above, an appliance handle 202 is mounted to an appliance door204 to assist with opening thereof. Generally, appliance handle 202extends (e.g., longitudinally or along a generally-longitudinal, curvedpath) between a first handle end 230A (FIG. 1) and a second handle end230B (FIG. 1). In particular, a handle body 218 extends between the twohandle ends 230A, 230B and provides a body or a surface that a user maygrasp in order to open or close appliance door 204. At one or both ofthe handle ends 230A, 230B, an endcap 236 is positioned (e.g., a firstendcap 236A at the first handle end 230A and a second endcap 236B at thesecond handle end 230B). For instance, endcap 236 may attach to handlebody 218 and cover at least a portion of the same. In some suchembodiments, endcap 236 extends between appliance door 204 (e.g.,external panel surface 214 of appliance door 204) and the correspondingend 236A or 236B of handle body 218.

When assembled, a second power line 222 is positioned within handle body218. For instance, second power line 222 may extend from a chamberdefined within endcap 236 and into a separate chamber defined withinhandle body 218. Second power line 222 may provide one or moreconductive wires or busses to form an uninterrupted path through whichan electric current may be transmitted.

As will be described in further detail below, a separable conductiveassembly 238 selectively couples or connects first power line 220 andsecond power line 222 through appliance door 204. Specifically, theconductive assembly 238 includes a first electrical connector 242 and asecond electrical connector 246. First electrical connector 242 includesa first conductive body 244 (e.g., mounted to panel body 210 inconductive communication with first power line 220). Second electricalconnector 246 includes a second conductive body 248 (e.g., mounted toendcap 236 in conductive communication with second power line 222). Inturn, an electric current or power may be transmitted between firstpower line 220 and second power line 222 (e.g., from power source 228)through separable conductive assembly 238. Moreover, electrical orconductive communication between appliance door 204 and handle body 218may be permitted.

In certain embodiments, first and second power lines 220 and 222 mayprovide an electric current or power to one or more electricalcomponents 262 within appliance handle 202 (e.g., handle body 218). Asan example, an electrical component 262 may include a lighting assembly.The lighting assembly may include one or more light sources (e.g., lightemitting diodes) that are mounted within handle body 218 or endcap 236to selectively illuminate a portion of appliance handle 202. As anotherexample, electrical component 262 may include one or more sensors, suchas a presence-detection sensor (e.g., infrared sensor, capacitancesensor, resistance sensor, etc.). Generally, the presence-detectionsensor may be configured to transmit a detection signal (e.g., tocontroller 127) corresponding to a detected user presence, such as whena reflected beam is received from an area in front of thepresence-detection sensor or when a user grasps appliance handle 202(e.g., in response to changes in capacitance or pressure at appliancehandle 202). In some such embodiments, controller 127 is in operable(e.g., electrical or, alternatively, wireless) communication with thepresence-detection sensor (e.g., electrical component 262) and isconfigured to initiate a reaction sequence, such as illuminating aninternal chamber (e.g., chambers 120, 122) of the appliance 100 (FIG.1), in response to receiving the detection signal from thepresence-detection sensor.

Moreover, it is understood that electrical component 262 may include anyother suitable sensor or electrically-driven element housed withinappliance handle 202. In some embodiments, electrical component 262 is adirect-current (DC) component.

Generally, electrical component 262 is provided in electrical orconductive communication with second power line 222. For instance,second power line 222 may attach directly to electrical component 262.Alternatively, an intermediate element, such as a voltage rectifier 264,may be provided to facilitate electrical or conductive communicationbetween second power line 222 and electrical component 262. In some suchembodiments, the intermediate element is housed within appliance handle202 along second power line 222, as shown.

As would be understood, a discrete third power line 224 (e.g., extendingwithin the enclosed door cavity 212 from power source 228) and fourthpower line 226 (e.g., extending within appliance handle 202 fromelectrical component 262 or intermediate element) may be required tocomplete the circuit between power source 228 and electrical component262. Optionally, third and fourth power lines 224 and 226 mayselectively couple or connect through another conductive assembly 240,similar to separable conductive assembly 238. Thus, a third electricalconnector 250 including a third conductive body 252 may be in separableconductive communication with a fourth conductive body 260 of a fourthelectrical connector 254.

When the intermediate element includes a voltage rectifier 264, such aconfiguration may advantageously improve ease of assembly sinceorientation of the electrical connectors (e.g., 242, 246, 250, 254) orpower lines (e.g., 220, 222, 224, 226) will not affect the direction ofcurrent received by an electrical component (e.g., 262).

In some embodiments, endcap 236 includes a mounting assembly forsecuring endcap 236 to appliance door 204. As shown, the mountingassembly may include a discrete anchor stud 266 (e.g., structuralmounting bolt), bushing 268, support body 270, and outer shell 272. Insome such embodiments, anchor stud 266 or bushing 268 are formed fromone or more conductive materials (e.g., aluminum, steel, copper, etc.,including alloys thereof) while support body 270 is formed from one ormore insulating materials (e.g., nonconductive polymers). Whenassembled, support body 270 may be positioned on or held against panelbody 210 (e.g., at the external panel surface 214), at least in part, byanchor stud 266. In particular, anchor stud 266 extends through supportbody 270, through panel body 210, and into the enclosed door cavity 212.A separate threaded nut or bracket 274 may hold anchor stud 266 withinthe enclosed door cavity 212. Optionally, an insulating adhesive 276 orpolymer may be positioned between bracket 274 and the internal panelsurface 216 of appliance door 204.

Within support body 270, bushing 268 may surround at least a portion ofanchor stud 266 (e.g., in contact therewith). For instance, bushing 268may be seated within support body 270 or otherwise spaced apart from theexternal panel surface 214 of panel body 210 (e.g., along the transversedirection T). Assembly may thus require inserting anchor stud 266 intosupport body 270 and bushing 268 before driving (e.g., screwing) anchorstud 266 into panel body 210 or bracket 274. Optionally, a separatefinishing screw or bolt may be provided (e.g., perpendicular to anchorstud 266) through one or more aligned channels through support body 270and bushing 268 to hold bushing 268 in place within support body 270.Additionally or alternatively, a flanged portion of anchor stud 266 mayrest against support body 270 or external panel surface 214 of panelbody 210. When assembled, bushing 268 may be seated within a radialgroove of support body 270 (e.g., spaced apart from external panelsurface 214). In some such embodiments, support body 270 electricallyinsulates anchor stud 266 and bushing 268 from panel body 210.

As shown, outer shell 272 may be positioned over support body 270 (e.g.,and thereby bushing 268 and anchor stud 266) and generally hide supportbody 270 from view. In exemplary embodiments, outer shell 272 furtherdefines a sleeve 278 through which at least a portion of handle body 218may be received and, for instance, at least a portion of second powerline 222 may pass.

In certain embodiments, one or more portions of the mounting assemblymay be provided as first electrical connector 242 or second electricalconnector 246. For instance, anchor stud 266 may include or serve asfirst conductive body 244. Direct contact or an immediate conductivebracket may join first power line 220 to a portion of anchor stud 266within the enclosed door cavity 212 of appliance door 204. Additionallyor alternatively, bushing 268 may include or serve as second conductivebody 248. Direct contact or a separate intermediate conductive bracketmay join second power line 222 to a portion of bushing 268 within outershell 272 or support body 270. Advantageously, an electrical connectionmay be established between first power line 220 and second power line222 without requiring any additional continuous members extendingthrough panel body 210 of appliance door 204. Moreover, a robustmechanical connection between appliance door 204 and appliance handle202 may be established in tandem with a robust electrical connection.

In alternative embodiments, first conductive body 244 and secondconductive body 248 are provided separately from the mounting assembly.As an example, first electrical connector 242 may be a first multi-pinserial bus (e.g., Universal Serial Bus female socket), and secondelectrical connector 246 may be a second multi-pin serial bus (e.g.,Universal Serial Bus male plug) that is complementary to the firstmulti-pin serial bus. As another example, a selective-contact assemblymay be provided such that a mated conductive plate-pin pair are held incontact with each other in the assembled configuration of appliancehandle 202 and appliance door 204. Optionally, first electricalconnector 242 or third electrical connector 250 may include a planarcontact plate 280 (as illustrated in FIG. 10) formed of a conductivematerial, while second electrical connector 246 or fourth electricalconnector 254 includes a conductive spring-loaded contact pin 282 (asillustrated in FIG. 11). Contact with the corresponding conductive body(e.g., planar contact plate 280) may depress or hold the spring-loadedcontact pin 282 inward such that a constant or consistent electricalconnection is maintained between, for instance, first power line 220 andsecond power line 222.

In some embodiments, both first electrical connector 242 and thirdelectrical connector 250 may be provided at a location that is adjacentto a common end of appliance handle 202, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Thus,second electrical connector 246 and fourth electrical connector 254 maybe mounted to the same endcap 236. For instance, second and fourthelectrical connectors 250 and 254 may be provided on the first endcap236A (FIG. 1). Fourth electrical connector 254 may include a fourthconductive body 260 mounted to the first endcap 236A in conductivecommunication with second power line 222 opposite second conductive body248 (e.g., such that second power line 222 is positioned incommunication between fourth conductive body 260 and second conductivebody 248). When assembled, fourth conductive body 260 may be inseparable conductive communication with third conductive body 252 suchthat an electrical path is formed in sequence from first power line 220,first electrical connector 242, second electrical connector 246, secondpower line 222, fourth electrical connector 254, third electricalconnector 250, and third power line 224. As noted above an electricalcomponent 262 may be provided between second power line 222 and fourthpower line 226.

In alternative embodiments, first electrical connector 242 and thirdelectrical connector 250 may be provided at locations that are adjacentto opposite end of appliance handle 202, as illustrated in FIG. 9.Optionally, the locations may be mirrored such that either endcap 236may serve as first endcap 236A and second endcap 236B (e.g., even ifappliance handle 202 is rotated 180° prior to mounting to appliance door204). Thus, second electrical connector 246 and fourth electricalconnector 254 may be mounted to opposite endcaps 236A and 236B. Forinstance, second electrical connector 246 may be provided on the firstendcap 236A (FIG. 1) and fourth electrical connector 254 may be providedon the second endcap 236B (FIG. 1). Fourth electrical connector 254 mayinclude a fourth conductive body 260 mounted to the second endcap 236Bin conductive communication with second power line 222 opposite secondconductive body 248 (e.g., such that second power line 222 is positionedin communication between fourth conductive body 260 and secondconductive body 248). When assembled, fourth conductive body 260 may bein separable conductive communication with third conductive body 252such that an electrical path is formed in sequence from first power line220, first electrical connector 242, second electrical connector 246,second power line 222, fourth electrical connector 254, third electricalconnector 250, and third power line 224. As noted above an electricalcomponent 262 may be provided between second power line 222 and fourthpower line 226.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A consumer appliance comprising: a cabinetdefining an internal chamber; an appliance door movably attached to thecabinet to selectively restrict access to the internal chamber, theappliance door comprising a panel body defining a door cavity, the panelbody comprising an external panel surface directed away from the doorcavity and an internal panel surface directed toward the door cavity; afirst power line positioned within the door cavity; an appliance handlemounted to the appliance door, the appliance handle comprising a handlebody extending between a first handle end and a second handle end, andan endcap positioned on the first handle end or the second handle end; asecond power line positioned within the handle body, the second powerline extending between a pair of line ends; a first electrical connectorcomprising a first conductive body mounted to the panel body inconductive communication with the first power line; and a secondelectrical connector comprising a second conductive body mounted to theendcap in conductive communication with the second power line, thesecond conductive body being in separable conductive communication withthe first conductive body.
 2. The consumer appliance of claim 1, whereinthe endcap defines a cap cavity, and wherein the first conductive bodycomprises an anchor bolt extending from the door cavity to the capcavity.
 3. The consumer appliance of claim 2, wherein the secondconductive body comprises a conductive bushing positioned in contactabout the first conductive body within the cap cavity.
 4. The consumerappliance of claim 1, wherein the endcap comprises an insulated supportbody positioned on the panel body, and an outer shell enclosing theinsulated support body.
 5. The consumer appliance of claim 1, whereinthe endcap is a first endcap positioned between the first handle end andthe panel body, wherein the appliance handle further comprises a secondendcap positioned between the second handle end and the panel body. 6.The consumer appliance of claim 5, further comprising: a third powerline positioned within the door cavity; a third electrical connectorcomprising a third conductive body mounted to the panel body inconductive communication with the third power line; and a fourthelectrical connector comprising a fourth conductive body mounted to thefirst endcap in conductive communication with the second power line, thesecond power line being positioned in communication between the fourthconductive body and the second conductive body, the fourth conductivebody being in separable conductive communication with the thirdconductive body such that an electrical path is formed in sequence fromthe first power line, the first electrical connector, the secondelectrical connector, the second power line, the fourth electricalconnector, the third electrical connector, and the third power line. 7.The consumer appliance of claim 5, further comprising: a third powerline positioned within the door cavity; a third electrical connectorcomprising a third conductive body mounted to the panel body inconductive communication with the third power line; and a fourthelectrical connector comprising a fourth conductive body mounted to thesecond endcap in conductive communication with the second power line,the second power line being positioned in communication between thefourth conductive body and the second conductive body, opposite thesecond conductive body, the fourth conductive body being in separableconductive communication with the third conductive body such that anelectrical path is formed in sequence from the first power line, thefirst electrical connector, the second electrical connector, the secondpower line, the fourth electrical connector, the third electricalconnector, and the third power line.
 8. The consumer appliance of claim1, wherein the first electrical connector is a first multi-pin serialbus, and wherein the second electrical connector is a second multi-pinserial bus that is complementary to the first multi-pin serial bus. 9.The consumer appliance of claim 1, wherein the second electricalconnector comprises a spring-loaded contact pin in selective contactwith the first conductive body.
 10. The consumer appliance of claim 1,further comprising an electrical component mounted to the appliancehandle in conductive communication with the second power line betweenthe pair of line ends of the second power line.
 11. A consumer appliancecomprising: a cabinet defining an internal chamber; an appliance doormovably attached to the cabinet to selectively move between an openposition permitting access to the internal chamber and a closed positionrestricting access to the internal chamber, the appliance doorcomprising a panel body defining a door cavity, the panel bodycomprising an external panel surface directed away from the door cavityand an internal panel surface directed toward the door cavity; a firstpower line positioned within the door cavity; an appliance handlemounted to the appliance door, the appliance handle comprising a handlebody extending between a first handle end and a second handle end, andan endcap positioned on the first handle end or the second handle end,the endcap comprising an insulated support body positioned on the panelbody and an outer shell enclosing the insulated support body; a secondpower line positioned within the handle body, the second power lineextending between a pair of line ends; a first electrical connectorcomprising a first conductive body mounted to the panel body inconductive communication with the first power line; a second electricalconnector comprising a second conductive body mounted to the endcap inconductive communication with the second power line, the secondconductive body being in separable conductive communication with thefirst conductive body; and an electrical component mounted to theappliance handle in conductive communication with the second power linebetween the pair of line ends of the second power line.
 12. The consumerappliance of claim 11, wherein the endcap defines a cap cavity, andwherein the first conductive body comprises an anchor stud extendingfrom the door cavity to the cap cavity.
 13. The consumer appliance ofclaim 12, wherein the second conductive body comprises a conductivebushing positioned in contact about the first conductive body within thecap cavity.
 14. The consumer appliance of claim 11, wherein the outershell defines a sleeve within which a portion of the handle body isreceived.
 15. The consumer appliance of claim 11, wherein the endcap isa first endcap positioned between the first handle end and the panelbody, wherein the appliance handle further comprises a second endcappositioned between the second handle end and the panel body.
 16. Theconsumer appliance of claim 15, further comprising: a third power linepositioned within the door cavity; a third electrical connectorcomprising a third conductive body mounted to the panel body inconductive communication with the third power line; and a fourthelectrical connector comprising a fourth conductive body mounted to thefirst endcap in conductive communication with the second power line, thesecond power line being positioned in communication between the fourthconductive body and the second conductive body, the fourth conductivebody being in separable conductive communication with the thirdconductive body such that an electrical path is formed in sequence fromthe first power line, the first electrical connector, the secondelectrical connector, the second power line, the fourth electricalconnector, the third electrical connector, and the third power line. 17.The consumer appliance of claim 15, further comprising: a third powerline positioned within the door cavity; a third electrical connectorcomprising a third conductive body mounted to the panel body inconductive communication with the third power line; and a fourthelectrical connector comprising a fourth conductive body mounted to thesecond endcap in conductive communication with the second power line,the second power line being positioned in communication between thefourth conductive body and the second conductive body, opposite thesecond conductive body, the fourth conductive body being in separableconductive communication with the third conductive body such that anelectrical path is formed in sequence from the first power line, thefirst electrical connector, the second electrical connector, the secondpower line, the fourth electrical connector, the third electricalconnector, and the third power line.
 18. The consumer appliance of claim11, wherein the first electrical connector is a first multi-pin serialbus, and wherein the second electrical connector is a second multi-pinserial bus that is complementary to the first multi-pin serial bus. 19.The consumer appliance of claim 11, wherein the second electricalconnector comprises a spring-loaded contact pin in selective contactwith the first conductive body.
 20. An appliance handle mountable to anappliance door, the appliance handle comprising: a handle body extendingbetween a first handle end and a second handle end; and an endcappositioned on the first handle end or the second handle end, the endcapcomprising an insulated support body positioned on the panel body, andan outer shell enclosing the insulated support body.